Corydalis plant named &#39;Porcelain Blue&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of Corydalis named ‘Porcelain Blue’ that is distinguishable by its compact upright plant habit, profuse basal branching, deeply cut leaves with multiple lobes, and flowers which are vibrant aquamarine blue in color and which flower over a long period including summer.

Genus and species: Corydalis flexuosa.

Variety denomination: ‘Porcelain Blue’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 (f)to the application for European Community Plant Variety Rights which wasfiled for the instant plant variety on Feb. 6, 2018, File Number2018/0427.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present disclosure relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofCorydalis plant, also known as a Blue Corydalis, a perennial plant thatis grown for use as an ornamental landscape and container plant. The newvariety will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘PorcelainBlue’.

‘Porcelain Blue’ originated and was selected in 2005 by the inventor asa single plant which the inventor had observed at the inventor's nurseryin Romsey, Hampshire, United Kingdom within a population of plants whichthe inventor had raised from seeds saved from open pollinations of thespecies Corydalis flexuosa. The inventor observed that this one plant,subsequently named ‘Porcelain Blue’ exhibited a dense and stiff habitrelative to the species parent and plants generally raised from seed ofthe species parent. The inventor observed that ‘Porcelain Blue’ boregrey-green leaves which are more deeply cut than leaves of the species.The inventor maintained the original plant of ‘Porcelain Blue’ forseveral years and observed that ‘Porcelain Blue’ has a very longflowering period, including the summer months when the species itselftends to become dormant and out-of-flower.

‘Porcelain Blue’ was first asexually propagated in 2010 using the methodof division in a greenhouse at the inventors nursery in Romsey,Hampshire, United Kingdom. The inventor has confirmed that ‘PorcelainBlue’ is stable and reproduces true to type in successive generations ofasexual reproduction.

SUMMARY

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of ‘Porcelain Blue’. ‘Porcelain Blue’ hasnot been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differencesmay be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and culturalconditions, without however, any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. ‘Porcelain Blue’ exhibits a compact broad plant habit.    -   2. After 18 months' growth in a one gallon container, ‘Porcelain        Blue’ achieves height and breadth of 35 cm.    -   3. ‘Porcelain Blue’ exhibits profuse basal branching.    -   4. The foliage color of ‘Porcelain Blue’ is grey-green in color.    -   5. The leaves of ‘Porcelain Blue’ are deeply cut with multiple        lobes.    -   6. The flowers of ‘Porcelain Blue’ are vibrant aquamarine blue        in color.    -   7. ‘Porcelain Blue’ flowers over a long period.    -   8. ‘Porcelain Blue’ does not exhibit summer flowering dormancy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of‘Porcelain Blue’ showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possibleto obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the drawingmay differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanicaldescription, which accurately describe the actual colors of the newvariety ‘Porcelain Blue’.

FIG. 1 shows a mature plant of ‘Porcelain Blue’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the inflorescence of ‘Porcelain Blue’.

Photographs were taken in April 2017 in Santa Barbara, Calif. using an18 months old plant (from a single division) grown out of doors in fullsun.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘Porcelain Blue’. Observations, measurements, values,and comparisons were collected between April 2018 and January 2019 inSanta Barbara, Calif. from an 18 to 24 months old plant which wasgrowing outdoors in full sun in a 1 gallon container. The plant had beengrown naturally, without any pinching or use of chemical growthregulator. Color determinations were made in accordance with the 2007Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart from London England, exceptwhere general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Fumariaceae.        -   Genus.—Corydalis.        -   Species.—Flexuosa.        -   Common name.—Blue Corydalis.-   Parentage: Seedling raised from the species Corydalis flexuosa    (unnamed, unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Propagation method.—Division, tissue culture.        -   Rooting system.—Rhizomatous. Rhizomes horizontal, short and            scaly giving rise to fine fibrous roots. Rhizome color 200A            or blacker.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous basal branching.        -   Time to develop roots.—Approximately 3 weeks are required            for a newly planted division to become established on its            own rhizome and roots.        -   Crop time.—Approximately 14 to 16 weeks are required to            produce a flowering plant in a 1 gallon container from a            rooted division or liner.        -   Suggested container size.—1 gallon container and larger if            desired.        -   Use.—Ornamental for use as a landscape plant or container            plant.        -   Type.—Perennial.        -   Overall dimensions.—After one year's growth in a 1 gallon:            35 cm in height (including the inflorescence), 35 cm in            width.        -   Cultural requirements.—Grow in full sun with moderate water            and well-draining soil.        -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 5.        -   Growth habit.—Compact, broad habit, flower stems gently            arching.        -   Blooming season.—At least from spring until fall. ‘Porcelain            Blue’ does not exhibit summer flowering dormancy and has            been observed to flower in mild climates all year round.        -   Lastingness of blooms.—Each inflorescence has some flower            for 14 days, individual flowers last for 5 to 7 days.-   Stems (measured from soil emergence to base of inflorescence):    -   -   Length.—25 cm.        -   Diameter.—3 mm.        -   Color.—Ranges between 174B and N186A.        -   Shape.—Rounded tetragonal.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Strength.—Stiff, wiry. Stems will arch under the weight of            full inflorescence.        -   Lateral stems.—Rarely present. Where present, lateral stems            arise very low down, at or slightly above soil surface.        -   Length.—25 cm.        -   Diameter.—3 mm.        -   Color.—Ranges between 174B and N186A.        -   Shape.—Rounded tetragonal.-   Leaves:    -   -   Type, arrangement.—Compound, biternate, alternate.        -   Attachment.—Petiolate (short petioles) except for leaflets            on lateral stems, sessile.        -   Quantity per stem.—3 to 5.        -   Shape.—Deltoid overall.        -   Division.—Deeply irregularly divided, typically into 3            primary lobes which are further divided into three secondary            lobes.        -   Length (leaf overall).—5 cm to 8 cm.        -   Width (leaf overall).—3 cm to 5 cm.        -   Length (each lobe, typical).—Primary lobes 3 cm, secondary            lobes 2 cm.        -   Width (each lobe, typical).—Primary lobes 2 cm, secondary            lobes 1 cm.        -   Thickness.—0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, slightly fleshy.        -   Venation.—Palmate.        -   Texture (both surfaces).—Glaucous.        -   Color (both surfaces).—Ranges between N138C and 189A.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Apex.—Obtuse.        -   Base.—Cuneate.-   Petiole:    -   -   Shape.—Round.        -   Length.—1 cm to 4 cm.        -   Width.—2 mm.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Color.—189A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—8 cm.        -   Diameter.—3 mm.        -   Shape.—Rounded tetragonal.        -   Texture.—Glaucous.        -   Color.—178A, becoming N170B to 172B towards and within the            inflorescence.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Type.—Raceme.        -   Dimensions.—8 cm to 10 cm in overall length, 4 cm to 5 cm in            overall diameter.        -   Number of flowers per raceme.—16 to 20.        -   Bloom period.—At least from April to October. Year-round            flowering has been observed in warm winter climates.        -   Lastingness of color in inflorescence.—14 days.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—8 cm.        -   Diameter.—3 mm.        -   Shape.—Round.        -   Texture.—Glaucous.        -   Color.—172B.-   Flowers:    -   -   Type.—Zygomorphic.        -   Buds.—Length (before opening): 1.5 cm. Diameter (before            opening): 0.75 cm. Shape: Tubular, obovate. Color: Emerges            147C, developing blue 107B on upper surface.        -   Flowers.—Corolla: Consists of fused pairs of upper and lower            petals. All petals fuse to form spur at base. Corolla tube            length: 3.5 cm. Corolla tube diameter: 1 cm. Shape: Tubular.            Color: Outwardly 107B; opens to expose inner surfaces of            upper and lower petals, 101D to NN155C.        -   Lastingness of flower.—5 to 7 days.        -   Fragrance.—Sweet, honeyed.-   Sepals: Not observed, absent.-   Petals:    -   -   Upper petals.—Quantity: 2, fused longitudinally except free            apex. Upper petals form a 2 mm high crest towards, but not            reaching, the apex. Dimensions (both petals as fused): 3.5            cm in length, 0.8 cm in width at widest section. Color            (outside surface): Predominantly 107B, with occasional            patches of very pale blue to white (108D to NN155C) towards            apex and on crest. Apex color commences N92A as flower            opens, becoming 107B as upper and lower petals separate.            Color (inside surface): 101D to NN155C. Texture: Glabrous            (both surfaces), lustrous (outer surface). Apex: Free            (unfused), shape acute. Apex margin color, N92A. Base            (spur): Rounded. Spur shape: Narrowly cylindrical, curved            downwards. Spur dimensions: 4 mm in length, 1.5 mm in            diameter. Spur color: 107B. Spur texture: Glabrous.        -   Lower petals.—Quantity: 2, fused longitudinally, terminating            in small claw at apex. Dimensions (both petals as fused):            3.5 cm in length, 0.8 cm in width. Color (outside surface):            101D becoming darker 107B towards apex and base. Color            (inside surface): 101D and white NN155C. Texture (both            surfaces): Glabrous. Apex: Mucronate, recurved claw-like.            Apex margin color, N92A. Base: Rounded.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Two, 15 mm in length, consisting of close bundle of            3 translucent filaments, color N155C.        -   Anthers.—Small, globular, 2 mm in diameter, color 155B.        -   Pollen.—Absent.        -   Pistil.—One, 8 mm in length.        -   Stigma.—Flattened quadrangular with 4 globular appendages,            approximately 1 mm in diameter, color 1D.        -   Style.—4 mm in length, obscured by 4 to 6 papillae closely            adjacent to style. Papillae white NN155C with dark            grey-black (between 202B and 202A) longitudinal streaks.        -   Ovary.—Not observed.-   Seed: Not observed in repeated observations. ‘Porcelain Blue’    appears to be sterile.-   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility: None observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN VARIETY

‘Porcelain Blue’ is distinguishable from the species parent Corydalisflexuosa as follows. Whereas plants typically raised from seed of thespecies grow with a loose, open habit and flower only or mainly in thespring, ‘Porcelain Blue’ exhibits vigorous basal branching and a verylong flowering season, including summer.

‘Porcelain Blue’ may be compared with many varieties of Corydalisflexuosa which are known to the inventor, including ‘‘Purple Leaf’,‘Pere David’, ‘China Blue’ and ‘Blue Panda’. All of these varietiesexhibit summer flowering dormancy whereas ‘Porcelain Blue’ flowerscontinuously through the summer months. In addition, the variety ‘PurpleLeaf’ bears purple-tinged foliage and pink-tinged flowers, and thevariety ‘Pere David’ exhibits a broadly spreading plant habit.

‘Porcelain Blue’ may also be compared with Corydalis Plant Named‘COURIBLUE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,277). Whereas both varieties‘Porcelain Blue’ and ‘COURIBLUE’ bear blue flowers, the foliage of‘Porcelain Blue’ is distinguishable by its grey-green color and by itsdeeply cut compound leaves. In addition, the growth habit and thepresentation of the flowers of ‘COURIBLUE’ is upright whereas ‘PorcelainBlue’ exhibits a broader plant habit and gently arching flower stems.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Corydalis plant named ‘Porcelain Blue’ as described and illustrated herein. 